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May 28, 2004
 James Mahoney died May 28 in the Worcester Medical Center-St.
Vincent Hospital, after an illness, at 87.
Mr. Mahoney had been a longtime employee of the Holy Cross
Dinand Library. Joining the staff in 1938, he had served
as general assistant, assistant librarian, and, later, as
head librarian; he retired from the position of head librarian
in 1986, following 22 years of service. Mr. Mahoney then
worked 14 years at the library on a part-time basis as the
curator of rare books and special collections; he also conducted
campus tours for new employees to the College.
A graduate of St. Peter’s High School in Worcester,
Mr. Mahoney received his master’s degree in library
science from Columbia University in New York City. He served
in the Army during World War II.
Mr. Mahoney had been a member of the President’s
Council at Holy Cross and a Holy Cross class agent. A member
of the Holy Cross Club of Greater Worcester, he was the recipient
in 1969 of its “Crusader of the Year” award.
In 1997, Mr. Mahoney received the In Hoc Signo Award. He
had also belonged to the Alumni Sodality of Our Lady and
served as a 4-H volunteer.
Mr. Mahoney is survived by his wife, Dorothea; a son, Gregory
R. ’82; five daughters; 10 grandchildren; and several
nephews and nieces. His son was the late James M. Jr. ’76.
Rev. John E. Brooks, S.J., ’49, Holy Cross president
emeritus, offers the following tribute upon the death of
Mr. Mahoney:
Mr. Mahoney brought a lively and versatile mind to the
Dinand Library where he faithfully served the Holy Cross
community for more than six decades. His comfort with books
was a reflection of his belief that learning extends our
lives. His death creates a void in the lives of so many
of us who were privileged to have known him well, to have
laughed at his jokes, to have worked and socialized with
him – he will be missed.
James Hogan, the director of library services, remembers
Mr. Mahoney in this way:
It is wise to judge a man by what he loved. Jim Mahoney,
our beloved former librarian, was a man of several loves.
Jim loved his family, and his finest moments were spent
in their company. Jim loved Holy Cross. He loved the people
who make up the Holy Cross family, and he loved the brick
and mortar that shelters us. And, Jim loved doing good
things for people. The good deed was itself all the reward
he needed. And, in return, we all loved Jim for the kind,
loving man that he was. We will miss him dearly.
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